-What is the state of war? What causes it? How can humans avoid the state of war?
-What motivates human beings? Is Hobbes psychology realistic? Why or why not?
Locke
-How do religious or spiritual beliefs play a role in Locke's definition of equality?
-Locke seems to have a more positive view of humanity than Hobbes. How do the two differ? Are they alike in any ways?
Rousseau
-Both Locke and Rousseau argue that people are basically equal. However, coming together in society often destroys this equality. Explain each author's reason for forming societies in spite of this disadvantage. What do they think is the ideal society? .
Mill
-How does Mill's defense of free speech relate to his praise of individuality?
-What are the dangers presented by the majority and what defenses do we have against them?
-Why is representative government the best for Mill? What are some of its problems, and how can they be mitigated?
State of Nature
-Examine the idea of the "State of Nature" in relation to Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Compare and contrast. Which do you believe is the most plausible idea of the State of Nature?
-Following from their views on the state of nature, how do Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau believe the state of nature should be manifested in society (should it be emulated or avoided)?
Tocqueville
-What is the equality of conditions and why does Tocqueville believe it to be a problem in American society? How is this similar or different to Mill's "tyrany of the majority"? Are Mill's conclusions similar or different from Tocqueville?
-What kind of despotism does Tocqueville think is likely to happen in a democracy? What features of society lead to it? How can it be prevented?
-What is "democracy" for Tocqueville? Is it a good or a bad thing? Why?
Wollstonecraft
-What are Wollstonecraft's views on equality? Would equality between men and women transform society? If so, how?
-Why is frienship such an important component of marriage according to Wollstonecraft?
Kant
-What is Kant's view of history?
-Kant's argument for the enlightenment contradicts many earlier philosophers, name at least one writer we have read this semester and explain how Kant's radical views conflict with them.
Hegel
-Marx states that the end of history is communism, while Hegel believes this endpoint is marked by a "free state." Is the concept of freedom synonymous in both philosophers' viewpoints? Compare both Hegel and Marx's understanding of history's endpoint and discuss any nuances that emphasize a divergence in either their conception of freedom or their overall perspectives.
-What is the subject of history, for Hegel? Why is its development rational?
Marx
-Explain Marx's discription of the condition of man under the division of labor. What is this condition? Is it improving or getting worse? What does Marx believe is the best condition of man? How does Marx's picture compare to Rousseau's?
-What are the conditions necessary for a communist revolution, in Marx's view? Why are they necessary for it? Have these conditions ever existed? Are they ever likely to exist?
Table of Contents
Hobbes
-What is the state of war? What causes it? How can humans avoid the state of war?-What motivates human beings? Is Hobbes psychology realistic? Why or why not?
Locke
-How do religious or spiritual beliefs play a role in Locke's definition of equality?-Locke seems to have a more positive view of humanity than Hobbes. How do the two differ? Are they alike in any ways?
Rousseau
-Both Locke and Rousseau argue that people are basically equal. However, coming together in society often destroys this equality. Explain each author's reason for forming societies in spite of this disadvantage. What do they think is the ideal society? .Mill
-How does Mill's defense of free speech relate to his praise of individuality?-What are the dangers presented by the majority and what defenses do we have against them?
-Why is representative government the best for Mill? What are some of its problems, and how can they be mitigated?
State of Nature
-Examine the idea of the "State of Nature" in relation to Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Compare and contrast. Which do you believe is the most plausible idea of the State of Nature?-Following from their views on the state of nature, how do Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau believe the state of nature should be manifested in society (should it be emulated or avoided)?
Tocqueville
-What is the equality of conditions and why does Tocqueville believe it to be a problem in American society? How is this similar or different to Mill's "tyrany of the majority"? Are Mill's conclusions similar or different from Tocqueville?-What kind of despotism does Tocqueville think is likely to happen in a democracy? What features of society lead to it? How can it be prevented?
-What is "democracy" for Tocqueville? Is it a good or a bad thing? Why?
Wollstonecraft
-What are Wollstonecraft's views on equality? Would equality between men and women transform society? If so, how?-Why is frienship such an important component of marriage according to Wollstonecraft?
Kant
-What is Kant's view of history?-Kant's argument for the enlightenment contradicts many earlier philosophers, name at least one writer we have read this semester and explain how Kant's radical views conflict with them.
Hegel
-Marx states that the end of history is communism, while Hegel believes this endpoint is marked by a "free state." Is the concept of freedom synonymous in both philosophers' viewpoints? Compare both Hegel and Marx's understanding of history's endpoint and discuss any nuances that emphasize a divergence in either their conception of freedom or their overall perspectives.-What is the subject of history, for Hegel? Why is its development rational?
Marx
-Explain Marx's discription of the condition of man under the division of labor. What is this condition? Is it improving or getting worse? What does Marx believe is the best condition of man? How does Marx's picture compare to Rousseau's?-What are the conditions necessary for a communist revolution, in Marx's view? Why are they necessary for it? Have these conditions ever existed? Are they ever likely to exist?